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Pictures: Californian firestorms a vision of hell

A MASSIVE, out-of-control Northern California wildfire that has destroyed 68 homes and forced thousands to flee has become the fifth largest in the region’s history.

And it’s only going to get worse as crews battle high temperatures and strong winds.

Camera IconA 747 Global Airtanker makes a drop in front of advancing flames from a wildfire in Lakeport, California.Picture: AP, Kent Porter /The Press Democrat via APCamera IconVentura County firefighters including Caleb Amico, foreground, watch as an air drop is made on a hot spot of a wildfire in Scotts Valley near Lakeport, California. Picture; Kent Porter /The Press Democrat via APPicture: AP

The Mendocino Complex Fire, made up of two separate blazes that merged near Ukiah, north of Sacramento, exploded by 25 per cent overnight and had blackened around 1000 square kilometres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

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“The Mendocino Complex Fire has charred more than 102,790ha, making it the fifth largest blaze in California’s history,” AccuWeather said on its website. “Firefighters will continue to face local gusty winds and building heat this week.”

Camera IconAlex Schenck carries a water bucket while fighting to save his home as the Ranch Fire tears down New Long Valley Rd near Clearlake Oaks, California.Picture: AFPCamera IconResident Lane Lawder while fighting to save his home from the Ranch Fire burning down New Long Valley Rd near Clearlake Oaks, California.Picture: AFP

The Mendocino is just one of 17 major wildfires burning across California that prompted US President Donald Trump to declare a “major disaster” in the state, ordering federal funding to be made available to help recovery efforts.

PG & E Corporation confirmed on Sunday that 21-year-old apprentice lineman, Jay Ayeta, died when his vehicle crashed in western Shasta County as he worked with crews in dangerous terrain to battle the nearly two-week-old Carr Fire.

Camera IconA deer runs from flames near Clearlake Oaks, California. The Ranch Fire is part of the Mendocino Complex, which is made up of two blazes, the River Fire and the Ranch Fire.Picture: AFPCamera IconA firefighter douses flames while battling the Ranch Fire.Picture: AFP

Ayeta was the seventh person to die in that blaze, which has scorched more than 62,322 hectares in the Shasta-Trinity region north of Sacramento, including two young children and their great-grandmother whose home was overrun by flames, a resident who authorities said refused to leave his home despite evacuation orders, and two firefighters.

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Firefighters had managed to contain 41 per cent of the Carr blaze by Sunday, and authorities were letting some evacuees return.